#TryThisThursday: Dry Your Own Mint Leaves

Do you find yourself wanting to do more with your garden? Has gardening really become too easy with the Smart Gardens? Well, why not try drying your own mint leaves?! If you're a tea fanatic, this is a great way to create your supply instead of spending tons for expensive organic brands the stores carry. Also, mint lemonade tea is a perfect refreshing drink for summertime!

The process of drying mint leaves should take no longer than 2-3 hours. Your peppermint plant will be ready for harvest in about 4 weeks but can last you up to 100 days! But if you dry your mint leaves, they can last you for over a year.

How-To Dry Your Mint Leave:

Step 1: Pick your mint leaves. To harvest, just start by trimming off the tips of the plant.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 170 degrees and while the oven is preheating lay the mint leaves flat on the cookie sheet.

Step 3: Once the oven is heated place the mint leaves in the oven.

Step 4: It will take the leaves about 2-3 hours to dry completely. After the leaves have been in the oven for 2 hours, we recommend checking every 15 minutes on the dryness of the leaves.

Step 4.5: While you are waiting for your mint leaves to dry, feel free to save a mint leave or two and brew yourself a fresh cup of mint tea while waiting!

Step 5: Once the leaves are completely dry, take them out of the oven and turn it off.

Step 6: Put the mint leaves in your new mint leaf container, and we recommend storing the leaves in a dry and dark area.